Changeable display device



Oct. 17, 1944.

M. P. M CARTY ET AL CHANGEABLE DI SPLAY DEVI CE Filed June 1, 1942 5 7 m flwm Z r m m m WW A 3m 5 w] Patented Oct. 17, 1944 UNITED CHANGEABLE DISPLAY DEVICE Madison P. McCarty and Bernard Brown, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 1, 1942, Serial No. 445,272

Claims. .(Cl. 40- -30) This invention relates to display devices such as advertising signs and the like and it has particular reference to a changeable display device.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a display device consisting of a plurality of objects, preferably, cuboidal or rectangular boxes or containers, so suspended in spaced apart, vertical alignment that, when the uppermost object is tilted slightly on its axis, the others will successively follow suit by a change in the direction of theline of support with respect to the gravity center of each, thereby forming a couple which produces rotation and exposing to view certain indicia on the sides of the object to constitute full meaning when read vertically from the top to the bottom object.

Another object of the invention is to provide a changeable display device in which the several vertically aligned objects carrying the display are joined together for successive rotative displacement by means of twine, cord, wire or even cable, depending upon the size of the device and consequently the service required of the connecting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide means of any suitable nature for imparting to the uppermost of the vertically aligned objects the initial tilting movement which will result in a change of position of each of the companion objects successively by virtue of the impetus given the same and the resultant change in the center of gravity. The means for thus operating the device may consist of an electric motor, weight actuated means or other such known power pr0- ducing means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device of the kind set forth in which the vertically aligned and successively rotated objects may consist of merchandise containers bearing the label of the manufacturer and which, through the animation given such containers or cartons by the device, will attract to entertain the attention to the products so advertised.

With the'foregoing objects as paramount, the invention has further reference to certain features of accomplishment, to become manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure l is a perspective view of a changeable display device constructed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view with parts removed to illustrate the function of certain elements, and

Figure 3 is a transverse section taken at a point intermediate the top and bottom of the device, showing one of the objects midway between the start and completion of its movement.

Continuing with a more detailed description of the drawing, it is to be noted that a base I0 is provided, on each side of which is an upright ll. These uprights are parallel and disposed upon the tops thereof is a housing l2 adapted to contain the means for operating the objects and which will be explained presently.

The objects or devices making up the changeable elements of the device each consists of a square or cuboidal'body l3. Each body l3 carries on its four faces surrounding its axis, a word, character or figure and while these characters may be arranged in any manner desired, it has been found that greater interest is manifested by arranging words on the faces of the bodies so that when the latter are successively actuated, the words will be successively exposed to ultimately reveal a complete and meaningful sentence. The words on the tops and one side of the bodies may, when fully exposed reveal a sentence or slogan of one meaning while the characters on the bottoms and companion sides will, when alternately exposed, present another and corresponding sentence, when the bodies serve as advertising carriers.

Attached to either end of each of the bodies I3 is a member M which may be square, as shown or rectangular in shape,.as desired. In the present case, the members l4 consist of two substantially square plates held in relatively parallel,

spaced relationship by means of spacers l5,

Pins l 6 extend through the plates l4 ateach corner for the purpose to be presently described.

The .members l4- are afl'ixed to the ends of bodies l3 so that their edges will lie on a plane of approximately 45 relative to the sides of the bodies. The uppermost unit, i. e., the body. l3 and its complementary members I 4, is mounted on a shaft or pivot ll Whose ends are journaled in the uprights II as shown. The remaining assemblies are suspended from the uppermost unit by flexible means, such as cords l8 or the like. For example, the unit next below the uppermost unit is connected to the latter by a length of cord l8 extending from one corner pin l6 thereof to a corner pin l6 of the adjacent unit and a cord l8 of the same length extending from the pin of another corner of the uppermost unit to a pin of a corner of the next adjacent unit so that the cords will cross. In the same manner, the succeeding units are each connected one to the other and on eithercend but are free from the uprights so that all except the uppermost unit are actuated by the change. in the direction of the line of support with respect to the center of gravity of each unit, brought about by rocking, rotating or oscillating the top unit.

It is necessary only to exert the initial overbalancing force to propel the first unit of the series. This may be effected in any desirable manner but in the present case, this force is provided by an electric'motor [9, the current to which is supplied through wires 20, extending through a passage provided through one of the uprights I I to the housing I2 in which the motor is mounted. In this manner, both the motor and wires, as well as the eccentric 2| operated by the motor, are concealed.

Conventional speed reduction gears are arranged in the box 22 and are driven by the motor 29. These gears, in turn, rotate the disc 2i on which a pin 23 is eccentrically mounted. An arm 24 has one end pivoted at a to a corner pin 16% of the uppermost unit. The opposite end of this arm is slotted at b to receive the pin 23 of the disc 2|, the length of the slot being equal to the displacement of the body or unit which is operated by the arm. It is apparent from the foregoing that as the motor I9 rotates the disc 2I slowly, the arm 24, with reference to its showing in solid lines in Figure 1, will urge the unit in a clockwise direction on its pivot. Thus, a pull is exerted on the cords I8 connecting the outer corners of the members I4 with. the upper corners of the. next lower unit, causing the latter to rotate in a direction counter to that of the driven or uppermost unit. When the uppermost unit reaches an overcenter position, the weight. of the suspended units will cause each to describe a quarter revolution successively in alternate clockwise and counter-clockwise.directions until all have changed positions. The length of the slot b in the arm 24.permits sudden displacement of the latter relative to the pin 23 On the disc and which displacement is a result of gravity, that is, the overbalancing of the top unit. Thus, the. arm assumes the position shown in dotted lines in thev figures preparatory to exerting a pull upon the corners of the members I4 of the top unit after a pause occasioned by rotation of the disc to bring the pin 23 again in position to push the arm 24 as the startof another cycle.

As the device operatesthe suspended units are, of course, displaced vertically and are inclined to swing outward from the uprights I I. To limit this tendency and to maintain. the assembly in:

proper relation to the mounting, springs 25 form.

a connection between the lowermost body I3 and the base Ill. These springs yield to the slight upward movement of the assembly, caused by the change in positions of the units and return the assembly to a perpendicular position relative to the base when displaced.

The foregoing description deals specifically with the device as shown but it is apparent that the same principle can be adopted. irrespective of variations in form, shape or purpose of. the elements of the combination, as set forth. in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A changeable display device including a base and a frame comprised of parallel uprights, av cuboidal body mounted for rotative movement on an axis supported at the upper ends of said uprights, a series of identical bodies. suspended from and below said first body, independently of said uprights, each body having four exhibited faces mounting plates corresponding in shape and afilxed to opposite ends of said bodies and providing connections for the suspending means for said bodies, said suspending mean forming connection between the corners of one of said mounting plates to the corners of the next adjacent mounting plate whereby rotation of the first body through a vertical plane will change the direction of the line of support with respect to the gravity center of each body successively to aline certain faces of said bodies in the same vertical plane.

2. A changeable display device including a vertically disposed frame on a base, a series flexibly connected, cuboidal bodies arranged in said frame having four exhibited faces, the uppermost of which is mounted for rotative movement onan axle journaled in said frame with the companion bodies suspended from aid first body, mounting plates mounted on opposing ends of each body, means flexibly connecting said plates at their corners whereby rotation of the plates through a plane at will effect a change in the direction of the line of support of said suspended bodies with respect to the gravity center of the suspended bodies to bring certain faces thereof successively into vertical alignment, and means for actuating said first body.

3. A device of the character described including a series of cuboidal bodies having four exhibited faces and suspended in. a frame, the uppermost of said bodies being held for rotative movement in said frame, substantially square mounting plates mounted on and parallel. with opposing ends of each body and whose edges are at angles of 45 with respect to the contiguous edges of said bodies, means flexibly connecting the corners of one plate with those. of the next adjacent plate to be efiective, upon rotation of said uppermost body 90, to cause the direction of the line of support of said bodies to be changed with respect to the center of gravity of each, whereby the remaining bodies of the series will similarly rotate successively to progressively reveal certain faces thereof in the same vertical plane.

4. A device of the character described including a series of bodies having four. indiciar bearing faces, indicia, mounting plates corresponding in shape to the faces of said bodie and aflixed to the ends thereof. at an angle of 45, flexible, intercrossing means connecting points of one plate to corresponding, points of a companion plate whereby rotation of the uppermost of said series of bodies will change the. direction of the line of support thereof with respect to the center of gravity of each of said series of bodies successively to progressively bring certain faces of said bodies and. consequently said indicia into vertical alignment.

5. A changeable display device including a plurality of vertically aligned, member having four exhibited faces, a. plate affixed to each side face Of each member, corresponding in shape thereto but turned to an angle of substantially 45 with respect to said ends, flexible means connecting the corner of one plate to the corner of another at corresponding point whereby rotation of the uppermost member. through a plane at. 90 will successively cause a. change of 90 in the position of the. members suspendedfrom said first member by changing the direction of the line of support in relation to the center of gravity of each member to bring the corresponding faces of the members into register in the same plane.

BERNARD BROWN. MADISON P. McCARTY. 

